Salt shortage will affect Walworth County's state highways

The Walworth County Public Works Department is using a salt-sand mixture on state and county highways this winter because of a shortage of salt in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has requested that the county reduce the amount of salt it applies to roads due to the shortage. File photo

Area drivers can hope for warmer temperatures or fewer snowfalls, but given the odds, it just might be better to slow down on the roads because salt is in short supply.

This prolonged winter, with below-normal temps and above-normal snowfall, stretched salt supplies throughout Wisconsin. Since mid-January county crews have made supplies last by cutting back on the salt they used on county highways, according to a release from the Walworth County Public Works Department.

Now the Wisconsin Department of Transportation—which contracts with Wisconsin counties in maintaining interstate and state highways—is directing Walworth County to reduce salt application rates on all state highways.

There will be no change on the use of salt on Interstate Highway 43, the release noted.

Salt sold to local municipalities by the county has been rationed based on contract allocations. To make the salt last, the county is selling a salt and sand mixture it uses on state and county roads to municipalities.

“The Walworth County Public Works Department will do its best to maintain state and county highways with reduced salt applications. Motorists can help by slowing down and maintaining extra distance for maneuvering and stopping,” the release noted. “Spring is almost here – let's get there together safely!”